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248 years of American independence celebrated in Colombo (Pics)
The U.S. Embassy in Colombo celebrated the 248th anniversary of the independence of the United States of America with a festive event hosted by U.S. Ambassador Julie Chung at the Galle Face Hotel on June 27.
The Ambassador welcomed Chief Guest Honorable Minister Harin Fernando, Minister of Tourism, Lands, Sports and Youth Affairs, alongside distinguished Sri Lankan officials, diplomats, and partners from the business, civil society, and media communities. This year’s American Independence Day celebration highlighted the enduring spirit of democracy and the robust partnership between the United States and Sri Lanka.
U.S. Ambassador Julie Chung thanked guests for their partnership and commitment to upholding democracy and all it stands for, stating: “Tonight, we celebrate not just the independence of the United States and the birth of our democracy, but we also reflect on the enduring struggle and steadfast commitment to democratic ideals…248 years ago, nothing was certain about America’s experiment in democracy. We declared our independence with a bold statement of our principles, aspirations, and vision – ‘We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness. That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed.’ But American democracy did not begin and end with this declaration and the creation of a constitution. Democracy is not static; it is a process, a continued renewal of commitments to fundamental principles.”
Ambassador Chung added, “Tonight, we commemorate not just the founding of a nation, but the enduring spirit of unity and freedom that defines us and the U.S.-Sri Lanka partnership.” With bilateral relations spanning over seven decades and people to people connections that go back even further, the partnership between the United States and Sri Lanka continues to strengthen, promoting shared democratic values and interests in diplomacy, commerce, culture, and more. The 2024 Independence Day celebration underscores the Embassy’s commitment to partnership with Sri Lanka in such areas as advancing regional peace and stability, promoting energy security, expanding bilateral trade and investment, building connections between people and expanding educational and English language opportunities, and combating transnational threats. Looking ahead, both countries are poised to deepen cooperation across all areas, reflecting a vision for an even stronger U.S.-Sri Lanka relationship in the future.
The event, themed “American Neighborhood Block Party,” recreated the festive atmosphere of a classic U.S. neighborhood celebration right in Colombo, featuring exhibitions of photographic memories from July 4th celebrations across the United States and quintessential American games. Mirroring the community-centric spirit of a typical neighborhood party in America, the event offered an evening full of entertaining activities, inviting guests to unite in a vibrant and inclusive setting. The celebration culminated with a fireworks display on Galle Face Green, a testament to the joy and unity of this special occasion.
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World Bank Group President meets with President AKD (Pics)
President of the World Bank Group Ajay Banga met with President Anura Kumara Disanayake this afternoon (07) at the Presidential Secretariat in Colombo.
This visit marks a milestone, as it is the first time in nearly two decades that a World Bank Group President has visited Sri Lanka.
During the meeting, discussions centred on strengthening collaboration to support Sri Lanka’s future development agenda. Priority areas identified included digitalisation, tourism, agriculture and infrastructure development, with particular emphasis on identifying short-term rewards, including advancing development in the Northern and Eastern provinces.
The Sri Lankan government’s efforts to establish a robust legal framework conducive to attracting new investments and recent policy initiatives were also discussed during the meeting.
Attendees at the meeting included Trevor Kincaid, Special Advisor – World Bank Group, David Sislen, Country Division Director – Maldives, Nepal and Sri Lanka – World Bank Group, Imad Fakhoury, Regional Director – South Asia International Finance Corporation and Gevorg Sargsyan, Country Manager – Maldives & Sri Lanka¸ World Bank Group.
Minister of Labour and Deputy Minister of Economic Development Anil Jayantha Fernando, Deputy Minister of Finance and Planning Harshana Suriyapperuma and Senior Additional Secretary to the President Russell Aponsu, along with several other dignitaries, also attended the occasion.
(President’s Media Division)
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SL – Vietnam sign 04 MoUs (Pics)
Four Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) and one Agreement were signed yesterday (May 05) between Sri Lanka and Vietnam, in the presence of President Anura Kumara Disanayake and President of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, Luong Cuong.
Among the agreements signed was a bilateral pact on enhancing cooperation and mutual support in customs affairs between the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka and the Socialist Republic of Vietnam.
Additionally, an MoU between the Ministry of Industry and Trade of Vietnam and the Ministry of Industry and Entrepreneurship Development of Sri Lanka on cooperation in machinery and equipment manufacturing, an MoU between the Vietnam Academy of Agricultural Sciences and the Department of Agriculture of Sri Lanka on cooperation in agriculture, an MoU between the Bandaranaike International Diplomatic Training Institute (BIDTI) of Sri Lanka and the Diplomatic Academy of Vietnam and an MoU between the Vietnam Trade Promotion Agency and the Sri Lanka Export Development Board on trade promotion cooperation.
These agreements aim to facilitate knowledge sharing and the exchange of diplomats, experts, officials, scholars and researchers, while also encouraging the organization and participation in academic and research programmes, training initiatives and conferences related to diplomacy.
They also provide a platform for a broad range of trade promotion activities, including the exchange of trade and market intelligence, joint participation in trade fairs and exhibitions in both countries, and the organization of business networking events for private sector representatives.
It is expected that this enhanced cooperation will unlock significant market opportunities for both countries, particularly in the sectors of value-added agriculture, fisheries, apparel and Processed food.
The signing took place following bilateral discussions held at the Presidential Palace in Hanoi earlier in the morning.
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President pays homage at Bai Dinh Pagoda (Pics)
As part of the on-going state visit to Vietnam, President Anura Kumara Disanayake visited the Bai Dinh Pagoda, one of the largest Buddhist temple complexes in Southeast Asia yesterday afternoon (04), where he paid homage and received blessings.
The President received a warm and heartfelt welcome from the Vietnamese people, who had gathered near the entrance of the temple, waving the national flags of both Sri Lanka and Vietnam.
A large crowd lined the pathway within the temple grounds to catch a glimpse of the Sri Lankan President, expressing their respect and goodwill by waving the two nations’ flags.
Upon reaching the main Buddha shrine, President Disnayake paid his respects. The resident monks then chanted Seth Pirith and invoked blessings on the President.
Subsequently, the President paid homage at the Sri Maha Bodhi sapling on the temple grounds, a sacred branch from the Sri Maha Bodhi in Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka, which was gifted to the Bai Dinh Pagoda and planted there in 2023.
The outer wall constructed around the sacred Bodhi under the technical guidance of Sri Lanka’s Central Cultural Fund was also officially declared open by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake on this occasion.
Later the President planted a sapling of the sacred Sal tree within the temple premises, and observed the commemorative plaque marking the occasion.
As a gesture of reverence, President Disanayake presented a memento to the Chief Incumbent of the temple.
Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment, and Tourism, Vijitha Herath, along with other members of the Sri Lankan delegation, were also present for the occasion.
(President’s Media Division)
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